Juventus had spurned the chance to secure an eight-point lead on Saturday when they were denied a last-gasp penalty in a 1-1 draw at home to Genoa.

Despite being kept on a tight rein by Parma, Cavani produced a classy solo finish in the 85th minute to give the visitors a 2-1 win after Napoli defender Paolo Cannavaro’s had put through his own goal to cancel out Marek Hamsik’s opener.

Napoli remain second on 46 points but are now just three behind champions Juve and three clear of Lazio, who were stunned 1-0 by Chievo at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday.

Cannavaro told Sky Sport Italia: “Parma gave us a tough match, they showed they can aspire to something this season.

“But we showed a lot of character and were able to come up with the winner.”

Cannavaro, the brother of former Italy defender Fabio, added: “The title race is neither open nor closed. The important thing is to simply be in the race.”

Milan’s 11th win of the campaign, following their dismal start to the season, means they move up to fifth, 12 points behind Juve with Fiorentina going the other way after a 2-1 defeat at Catania.

With a Champions League last 16 tie against Barcelona on the horizon coach Massimiliano Allegri said, however: “This changes nothing. Today the boys played well but didn’t seal the match and we were under threat till the very end.

“We’re on the right road but we need to keep winning. Let’s see how we’re doing at the end of February and, above all, at the end of March.”